# Ray Ozzie

> American businessman

**Wikidata**: [Q92637](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q92637)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Ozzie)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ray-ozzie

## Summary
Ray Ozzie is an American businessman, computer scientist, and programmer best known for his work at Microsoft and as a pioneer in collaborative software. He is particularly recognized for developing Lotus Notes, a groundbreaking program that enabled groups to work collaboratively over computer networks.

## Biography
- Born: November 20, 1955, in Chicago, United States
- Nationality: United States
- Education: University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Maine South High School
- Known for: Developing Lotus Notes, a collaborative software platform
- Employer(s): Microsoft, Groove Networks Inc.
- Field(s): Computer science, software engineering, software development

## Contributions
Ray Ozzie made significant contributions to the software industry, most notably with the development of Lotus Notes in the early 1990s. This program revolutionized collaborative work by allowing groups to share and manage information over computer networks. His work laid the foundation for modern collaboration tools. Ozzie also played a key role in the early days of Microsoft, contributing to the company's growth and innovation. He later founded Groove Networks, which focused on real-time collaboration and communication technologies. His vision and programming skills were instrumental in shaping the development of collaborative software.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Ray Ozzie best known for?
A: Ray Ozzie is best known for developing Lotus Notes, a collaborative software platform that enabled groups to work together over computer networks.

### Q: Where did Ray Ozzie study?
A: Ray Ozzie studied at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign and attended Maine South High School.

### Q: What companies was Ray Ozzie affiliated with?
A: Ray Ozzie was affiliated with Microsoft and later founded Groove Networks Inc.

### Q: What awards has Ray Ozzie received?
A: Ray Ozzie received the W. Wallace McDowell Award in 2000 for his vision, determination, and programming skills in developing Lotus Notes.

### Q: What is Ray Ozzie's role in the World Economic Forum?
A: Ray Ozzie participated in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2004 as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Groove Networks Inc.

## Why They Matter
Ray Ozzie's work in collaborative software has had a lasting impact on the way people work together in the digital age. Lotus Notes pioneered the concept of real-time collaboration, influencing the development of modern tools like Microsoft Teams and Slack. His contributions to Microsoft and Groove Networks have shaped the evolution of communication and productivity technologies. Ozzie's vision and technical expertise have been instrumental in advancing the field of collaborative software, making it easier for teams to work together across different locations and time zones.

## Notable For
- Developed Lotus Notes, a groundbreaking collaborative software platform.
- Received the W. Wallace McDowell Award in 2000 for his contributions to software development.
- Founded Groove Networks Inc., focusing on real-time collaboration and communication technologies.
- Played a key role in the early days of Microsoft, contributing to the company's growth and innovation.
- Participated in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2004 as the CEO of Groove Networks Inc.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Ray Ozzie was born on November 20, 1955, in Chicago, United States. He attended Maine South High School and later studied at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, where he developed a strong foundation in computer science.

### Career at Microsoft
Ozzie joined Microsoft and played a significant role in the company's early years. His contributions to the development of collaborative software laid the groundwork for future innovations in the field.

### Development of Lotus Notes
In the early 1990s, Ozzie led the development of Lotus Notes, a revolutionary program that enabled groups to work collaboratively over computer networks. This software became a cornerstone of collaborative work, influencing the development of modern collaboration tools.

### Founding Groove Networks
After his time at Microsoft, Ozzie founded Groove Networks Inc., a company focused on real-time collaboration and communication technologies. His leadership at Groove Networks further advanced the field of collaborative software.

### Awards and Recognition
Ozzie received the W. Wallace McDowell Award in 2000 for his vision, determination, and programming skills in developing Lotus Notes. This award recognized his significant contributions to the software industry.

### Participation in the World Economic Forum
Ozzie participated in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2004 as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Groove Networks Inc. This event highlighted his influence and leadership in the technology sector.

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## References

1. [Source](https://www.computer.org/volunteering/awards/mcdowell)
2. Munzinger Personen
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=rozzie)
5. Davos 2004 List of Participants
6. [Source](https://keybase.io/rozzie)
7. Quora
8. [Ray Ozzie | Microsoft Wiki | Fandom](https://microsoft.fandom.com/wiki/Ray_Ozzie)